by S. Valentine
“No,” she exclaims. “I don’t have any feelings for Thomas, but his message got to me. You don’t deserve all this.”
“So why are you back?” My words come out louder than intended.
“I couldn’t go through with it.”
I laugh condescendingly. “I don’t know what to believe any more. Every time things get rough, you’ll go running. I can’t do this.”
She moves closer to me, the panic clear in her eyes. “Thomas can end all this. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Trust me. That’s what you had to do.”
She takes my hand but I’m cold inside. Insecure she’ll leave whenever the mood strikes. This relationship is more bad than good these days. Up and down. Hot and cold. Can we really get through all this? The fact she even considered reuniting with Thomas bothers me.
“You were just going to leave without even talking to me first?”
She nods. “I didn’t want you to convince me to stay. I was doing it partly for you too. You’re better off without me.”
“So, you’ve had a change of heart? From receiving a text message?”
“I panicked.” She forces me to look at her and pecks me on the mouth. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want to be responsible for you getting hurt, or your life being messed up.”
“That’s my choice to make. We already discussed this.”
“Are you sure I’m what you want?” The insecurity makes her voice shaky.
“I should be asking you that.”
She tightens her hold on my fingers. “I couldn’t go through with it. Half way down the street I realised I couldn’t be without you. But I need to know if you seriously think I’m worth all this risk, this heartache?”
“Amara,” I snap. “I’d move fucking mountains for you,” I tell her honestly. “I’d start a war for you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe.”
She purses her lips, emotional at what I’m saying.
“I’m going to see Thomas.” I stand.
“Now?”
I nod.
“Elias...”
“Stay here,” I cut her off.
“Please.”
“I said stay here. I’m locking the door.”
She gets to her feet and pulls me into a hug. “Let me come with you.”
“It’s not safe. Stay here. I won’t be long.”
After I’ve planted a quick kiss on her forehead, I’m out the door and locking it before she can change my mind. Thomas has been talking to her parents. I need to find out what’s been said and ensure he does exactly what I need him to do. This isn’t going to be easy or pleasant, but I signed up for this. There’s no backing out.
Chapter Forty-One
AMARA
I peer out the window and wonder when Elias will be back. I wish he hadn’t left me alone. Checking my mobile again I ensure I haven’t missed any text messages or calls. I haven’t. Thomas isn’t going to be cooperative with Elias, not unless Elias turns nasty. Maybe it’s best he left me here. Who knows how Thomas will react. I used to think he’d never physically hurt me, but now I’m not so sure. He knows what my parents will do to me so he doesn’t have a conscience.
The doorbell ringing makes me jump, all of my senses on high alert. Lori’s name appears on my mobile as it rings, and I rush to greet her. She pushes her way inside, laden with bags, and embraces me.
“How you holding up, babe?”
“Just about,” I mumble.
“Let’s keep your mind busy. Ready to bake?”
I nod and lead her into the kitchen. She empties ingredients onto the counter, and pots, pans, utensils and whatever else. I’m glad Lori has been understanding and agreed to bake here. I need this distraction. I must have paced the apartment a hundred times. I’m hoping my parents aren’t already in England. I’m praying Thomas hasn’t contacted the authorities or Immigration Police.
“I’m sorry I told Elias about you getting back with Thomas. I was only trying to help.”
“It’s fine,” I respond softly. I know Lori would never try to hurt me intentionally. “How’s it going with Kyle?”
“Really well.” A dreamy grin surfaces. “He doesn’t see much of Thomas these days.”
“Good for him.”
Not wanting to dampen the mood we discuss everything but my problems. I’ve missed this, our girly chats. I’ve missed laughing and fooling around. We spend a few hours baking three cakes and decorating them. The end results are amazing. I’m proud that every cake we do is better than the last, our skills improving. Lori tells me she has her eye on a property and is hoping to rent it and open a bakery. She asks if I want to co-own it should everything turn out okay with my UK status, and my family leave me alone. I’m touched she’s asked me and agree instantly. It would be amazing to live my dream with my dear friend. Excited, we discuss decor ideas, and how we could make it into a little cafe also, so people could order cake and coffee. We babble on about how we’d display the cakes, the colours we’d focus on, how we’d make the drinks look fancy. Just talking about it gives me hope.
Even when Lori has left an hour later I’m still smiling. But then I check the time and the fact Elias hasn’t returned has me anxious. How can it take so long? I hope it hasn’t become violent between him and Thomas. Peering out the window, I check for Elias’s car. His parking space is empty. I need to keep my mind occupied.
In the bathroom, I have a long soak in the tub. The aromatherapy oils soothe my muscles, the sweet scent filling my nostrils. I close my eyes and block everything out. My focus is on the warmth of the water, the smells, the silence around me. I’m able to stay calm for about ten minutes before pains form in my chest, and I’m bombarded by my issues again.
When the front door bangs open, Elias’s voice follows. I yell I’m in the bathroom and he enters. The bubbles are keeping my nakedness hidden, but even so Elias’s eyes twinkle, pleased with what they see. He leans over and kisses me before settling on the toilet lid. I’ve been waiting for this update all day and the suspense is killing me.
“What happened?” I urge.
“He wasn’t forthcoming with any information, so I had to rough him a little.”
“Define ‘rough him up a little.’” I sit up straight, the water splashing around me.
“It doesn’t matter.” His answer tells me everything I need to know. He went in on Thomas hard. I knew Thomas wouldn’t make it easy.
“Elias.” I give him a stern look. “Tell me everything that happened. Now.”
“He wouldn’t tell me anything, so I had to force the truth out of him.” He shrugs. “Your parents contacted him having seen the posts online. He told them you’re still in London somewhere and they’re on the way here.”
I inhale, holding in my emotions.
“I told Thomas to arrange a meeting with them in the week, and to tell me the location and time.”
“And you think Thomas will stick true to his word?” I roll my eyes.
“He has no choice but to. I threatened his entire family. I made him tell me where they all live.”
A gasp escapes my lips. “You can’t do that!”
Elias leans closer. “He’s threatening to hurt someone I love, so I’ll threaten to hurt those he cares about.”
“He isn’t stupid. He’ll send his parents away somewhere until it all blows over.”
“I have a couple of bodyguards watching their every move. Trust me, Thomas will provide the information I need.”
“What will you do when he does?”
Elias chuckles as if I’ve asked the most stupid question ever. “I’ll go to the meeting point and deal with your dad and your uncle.”
“Can you stop talking in code,” my voice wobbles. “Deal with them, how?”
“Amara.” He stands. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get them to back the fuck off. They won’t be taking you anywhere.”
I stare down at my palms which have turned wrinkly from the water. “Can
you give me a moment please?” I mumble.
Elias doesn’t say a word, simply leaves me to it. When I know he’s out of earshot, I burst into silent sobs, my whole body shaking. I don’t want my family to get hurt, even though they’re prepared to hurt me. I don’t want anything to happen to Elias either. The meeting will turn ugly. I can’t bear to think of the outcome. This is all my fault. I should have just married Yousef, been obedient, and allowed him and my family to make life decisions for me.
I squeeze my eyes shut and sink under the water. I stay there even when my lungs hurt and I’m desperate for air. When I finally resurface I give myself a mental pep talk. I have to trust Elias. He’s not a bad person. After what happened with his ex though, I’m afraid he’ll confront my family, guns blazing, and use violence as a solution to everything. My family, on the other hand, have been waiting a long time to punish me. Perhaps there is no reasoning with them.
I climb out the bath, dry myself with a towel, and shrug on an oversized T-shirt. Elias is in the living room, the TV on, but his features aren’t set in concentration. They’re stern, the rage in him apparent.
“Please promise you won’t get violent with my dad and uncle unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“I’m not a monster,” he spits out, seeming offended.
I sit beside him. “Let me come with you. I’ll try to talk to them.”
He pulls me into him and strokes my hair gently, treating me as though I’m fragile. “I can’t risk something happening to you. You have to stay here.” He tilts my face up to his. “Give me your word you won’t leave this house.”
I sigh, but tell him I’ll do as he orders.
“I’ll ask a friend to stay with you.”
“There’s no need,” I blurt out.
“Amara, please don’t go behind my back and do the same as Kaley. She didn’t listen to me, and I hope you do.” His stare bores into mine, all serious. “I can’t deal with your family, and protect you at the same time. You have to let me deal with it. Nothing good can come from you being there. Do you understand?”
I nod to show I sort of understand, but I sort of don’t. A part of me wants to speak with my family, plead for forgiveness, beg for my freedom. The other part wants to stay well away and accept the fact I’ll never see them again, that it’s for the best. If only I didn’t still love them.
Chapter Forty-Two
ELIAS
I sit back in the chair, my attention on Thomas. The room is silent, the tension almost overbearing. I’ve been in the same position for the last hour, waiting, ready to pounce at any moment. Thomas’s mobile is beside him. He’s messaged Abdul and Faheem a meeting point at an abandoned warehouse to discuss Amara, and try to figure out where she could be.
They confirmed yesterday they’d landed and will meet Thomas today. The agreed time is in exactly twenty minutes. They’ve requested Thomas come alone, which is a little odd, but I’m prepared should things get messy.
“You should have just stayed away from her,” Thomas tells me, shaking his head in disapproval. “Then we wouldn’t be in this position.”
“We’re in this position because you couldn’t wait to punish her.”
“She betrayed me. I did everything for her.”
My lips curl upwards in disgust. “You didn’t love Amara. If you did, you’d never be this sick to risk her life.”
He doesn’t respond and I want to add to the bruises on his face and body. Instead I force myself to stay calm. I’ll save my rage for Amara’s father and uncle. I peer down at the bag of money at my feet, ensuring it’s still there. I’m making Thomas pay for Amara’s freedom, literally. I doubt I’ll be able to bribe her family with thousands of pounds to stay away, but it’s worth a try.
“If anything has happened to my parents,” Thomas grates out.
“You’ll do what?” I lean forward, mildly amused. I could beat this man to a pulp blindfolded. “Nothing will happen to your parents if you cooperate. I gave you my word.”
Thomas’s mobile pings with a text message and our eyes shoot to it. He picks it up and reads it, stating it’s from a woman. Knowing I don’t trust him, he shows me the screen. I then check the time. Not long to go now. When they finally message to state they’re on the way, and reminding Thomas to come alone, I head for the door.
Coming to a halt, I decide not to leave peacefully. Thomas needs another reminder. I grab him by his collar and force him onto his feet. Then I push him up against the wall hard.
“Remember, no Police, no coming to the location, and no causing trouble. Because I swear, you or your parents will suffer.” My tone is menacing, and Thomas knows I mean every word. He’s trembling. “Even if something should happen to me, or I end up in prison, I have people who will take care of it. Have I made myself clear?”
Thomas nods, and I push him harder, prompting him to speak. “Yes.”
It takes me twenty five minutes to reach the abandoned warehouse. I don’t have backup, weapons, or anything. I don’t need it. My blood is boiling. These bastards have threatened to kill or imprison and torture the woman I love. I close my eyes. There was no saving Kaley. This time I won’t fail.
I get out the car and pass what appears to be a rental car near the entrance. Once inside, I close the big, heavy doors and scan my surroundings. It’s empty. I yell out the names, and then five Arab men appear. Fuck. Me against five men. Then a woman steps forwards. She’s wearing a bershka, and guessing from her grey hair and wrinkles, she must be Amara’s mother.
“Thomas?” The eldest man appears. Like the others he’s wearing trousers, a long robe, and a keffiyeh on his head. All the garments are white.
“Thomas couldn’t make it,” I respond, keeping a bit of distance. “I’m Amara’s friend.”
“Do you know where she is?” His accent is much thicker than Amara’s.
I nod.
“And you’re going to tell us?”
I shake my head slowly and half smile.
The man sighs softly as if he was half expecting things to be difficult. He looks at the other men, and then they all produce weapons—machetes, knives, steel rods and a hammer. I almost wince. What are they expecting to do with that?
“Amara is happy here in England. I want to marry her,” I tell them honestly. This morning when I left, the thought of never seeing her again terrified me. I realised there and then I need her in my life. She truly does make me happy.
“Amara is to marry Yousef. She’s coming home.”
“We can do this the easy way, or the hard way,” I begin. I empty the wads of cash on the floor, and don’t fail to notice their eyes light up, especially Amara’s mother’s. They’re not financially comfortable from what Amara told me, so I’m hoping this works. “Take the money and never bother Amara again, or I’ll hurt you all.”
Sniggers follow like I knew they would. They can underestimate me all they want. I glance at the metal chains piled up in the nearby corner, which may come in handy. Although work is being done in this warehouse, there aren’t any tools here, only a few buckets, a broom, and paint brushes.
“We don’t want your money,” Abdul responds, pride getting in the way. “I want my daughter, and you’ll tell us where she is.”
The door behind me creaks open and I turn to find Amara. My heart leaps in my chest, and my rage morphs into fear. Why did she come here?! She must have forced the location information out of Thomas. I’m so weak right now I could faint. She’s put both of us in danger!
“Aisha...” her mother calls, her voice shaky.
Tears pour down Aisha’s face. I can tell she wants to run and hug them, but she’s cautious, remaining near the door.
“I told you not to come,” I hiss.
“I wanted to see them. And I was worried about you.”
“Aisha, you’re leaving with us right now.” Abdul tightens his hold on the machete. His gaze assesses her outfit of jeans and a T-shirt and it’s obvious he’s displeased, that he thi
nks she should be wearing more.
“Please don’t do this,” she pleads.
“You stole from us.” The anger flashes on his face, his features hardening, his voice ice cold. “You stole from us, and Youself. You were also violent. We will forgive you if you surrender.”
She wipes her face. “You’re lying to me.”
“Aisha...” her mother sobs.
“Come with us and marry Yousef. We won’t hurt you.”
Aisha shakes her head vehemently. “You’re lying. I know you can’t forgive me.” She glances at me and half smiles weakly. “And I can’t marry Yousef. I love Elias.”
Abdul’s face reddens. “You’re going to disobey me, again?”
Amara doesn’t speak and it provokes Abdul. They all charge toward me.
“Amara, get out of here. Now!” I roar.
The last thing I see is her fleeing from the warehouse. Her mother runs after her and I’m torn with joining them, or restraining these animals before me. I don’t get time to think. I’m whacked hard in the body with a metal rod. Lifting my leg high, I kick the first opponent in the face hard, sending him stumbling backwards. Then I punch another in the jaw, knocking him out instantly. I scream out as a machete catches my arm, cutting into the skin, causing blood to ooze out. I can’t fight all these men with my bare hands.
I race to the corner of the warehouse, and pick up the chains. They’re light enough which I’m thankful for, but too long. I wrap them around my shoulders and arms, and then I start swinging them around. The chain catches one man in the face, causing blood to gush from his mouth, and he stumbles. I dance back and forth, swinging the chains at anyone and everyone. I duck the swipe of a machete, and position myself behind the man holding it, before wrapping the chains around his throat. He drops the machete and tries to grab and kick me. I stumble backwards, moving away from the other men.
“I’ll kill him,” I scream out, adrenaline charging through my veins. I’m evil right now, vicious. Kaley’s face flashes in my mind and then Amara’s. No-one is taking what’s mine ever again. I will fucking kill them without a second thought.